CATEGORIES

ORIGIN

This 1961 Corvair 500 Lakewood wagon is an 82k-mile, New Mexico example that has been restored by the current owner with several nice upgrades and modifications. It sports an upgraded 80-HP engine, 4-speed manual transmission, rebuilt brakes and suspension, bucket seats, Monza upholstery and 1962 exterior trim for a better look. The seller has owned the car for 4 years and restored it himself, farming out the body and paint work. He’s driven it around 3,000 miles since it was finished one year ago and says it runs and drives very well.

The body — said to have only light surface rust, minor dings and no accident damage — was stripped to bare metal, epoxy-primed and repainted in correct Twilight Turquoise in a modern base/clear formulation. The roof originally was Ermine White, but repainted Ford Colonial Cream for a better two-tone effect. In addition, 1962 front trim and tail lights, ‘62 Monza rocker moldings and a coupe/sedan rear grille were added to give the body a bit more visual flair. A new windshield and all new rubber seals also were installed.

Corvair wagons were offered only for 1961 and ‘62 and the base 500 ‘61 is considerably rarer than its more deluxe 700 series counterpart. For ‘62 the Lakewood name and the 500 series wagons were dropped and all wagons were either 700s or Monzas.

The stock bench front seat was replaced with buckets, a 1962 option, while the factory rear bench was retained. The aqua upholstery, door panels and headliner are 1964 Monza-style. Original rubber floor mats were replaced with aqua carpeting and all interior metal was refinished in the same paint used for the exterior. The rear door armrests and some minor trim pieces are missing, but otherwise the interior seems complete.

The original flat six was rebuilt with .030-over pistons, 102HP heads, new valve train components and a Clark’s 270 cam. A 4-speed manual transaxle replaced the original 3-speed and a 1964 differential case was used, so upgrading to the improved 1964 rear suspension is possible, the seller notes.

The floor pan had some rust areas but was repaired with new metal welded in. The brakes were rebuilt and all four drums turned. Front suspension bushings are new, as are the shocks and all five tires. Overall this looks like a thoughtful build